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Raleigh, N.C. — The General Assembly has remembered the late wife of the Rev. Billy Graham as a great woman in her own right and partner in Christian ministry with the North Carolina-based evangelist.

The Senate and House passed resolutions Wednesday memorializing Ruth Graham, who died in 2007 at age 87. She was the daughter of Christian missionaries to China and an author who often remained at their Montreat home taking care of their children while Billy Graham held crusades.

Franklin Graham, the Grahams' son, gave the invocation for the Senate session Wednesday, while other family members watched from the gallery.

Gov. Pat McCrory also visited the chamber to observe the occasion.

Billy Graham is 94 years old and didn't attend. Gov. Pat McCrory did attend and announced later he presented to Billy Graham in March another resolution naming him a "favorite son" of North Carolina.

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